Graduate Externships

We appreciate your interest in the graduate externship program at George Washington University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The GW CAPS team is passionate about training and mentoring. We're excited to support you as you explore the multitude of learning experiences both within our campus and across the broader DC region, honing your clinical abilities in service to the GW community.

This externship is for students in psychology doctoral and masters (social work, mental health counseling) programs to gain experience working in a thriving university counseling center.  The extern class will consist of four trainees (two from psychology doctoral programs, one from an MSW program, one from a MHC program). Externs will receive training and clinical experience in a variety of areas including conducting short-term therapy, group therapy, crisis and risk assessment, outreach events, and workshops, in addition to gaining experience utilizing a stepped care model and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Overview

GW CAPS provides psychological services to the entire GW student body (undergraduate and graduate). Working from a stepped care model, we connect and provide students with the right level of care (including workshops, groups, and short-term therapy) to lessen their symptoms and improve their functioning. GW CAPS is committed to respecting and valuing diversity and providing culturally sensitive counseling. Students present with a wide variety of concerns (including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, trauma, adjustment, and family relational issues) and levels of severity. 

Hours and Dates: This externship is 16-20 plus hours per week and runs from late August to early May.

Orientation

GW CAPS clinicians practice from a variety of theoretical orientations (including relational, CBT, and IPT) and are integrative in terms of tailoring interventions to suit the needs of the individual student. Clinicians all share a commitment to practicing from a culturally sensitive perspective.

Weekly Activities

Clinical components: Externs will provide individual therapy, co-lead a group, and when ready conduct initial consultations through our daily walk-in hours. Externs will also be expected to conduct outreach events (2 per externship) and lead a workshop (1 per externship). All externs will receive training in the Collaborative Assessments and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), a suicide assessment protocol.

Supervision: Externs will receive two hours of supervision (1 hour of individual, 1 hour of group) weekly.

Meetings: Externs will have a weekly seminar (presentations from CAPS staff and invited external clinicians), case conferences, and meetings with the Training Director

Application Process

Applications are due February 5th , 2024 by 5pm

Application materials:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Unofficial transcript
• 2 letters of recommendation sent directly from recommenders
• Letter from graduate program training director verifying readiness for externship

Please email materials to Sarah Zoogman, Ph.D., Director of Training and Education at [email protected]

GW CAPS participates in the Washington Consortium uniform match date